Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Here’s How to Navigate Your Next Move
Career transitions can be scary, but so can feeling stuck.
Feeling a little stuck in your current role? You’re not alone. It’s actually pretty common for professionals to experience feelings of discontentment or dissatisfaction with their current role more than once throughout their career. Research shows that the average person changes careers five to seven times throughout their working life. Gone are the days of receiving 40-, 30-, or even 20-year longevity awards that many companies once held in high regard.
So, if you’re feeling professionally stagnant—longing for something new, more exciting, more meaningful, or simply better pay—it’s completely normal. But what should you do about it?
Before you quit your day job, remember that it’s much easier to get hired while you’re currently employed than when you’re unemployed. So, before you take the leap, it’s a good idea to take stock of where you are, how you got there, and where these feelings are coming from. Are you just bored in your current role, or do you desperately need more income? Has there been a recent event that made the idea of making a change feel more pressing, or has this been building for months?
Here are some questions you can ask to process these feelings:
Why did you choose your current work?
Think back through the journey that brought you to where you are. What have you enjoyed most? What have you dreaded most?
What were the major milestones and events that led to your current role?
Has there been anything specific that brought you to a tipping point, or are you anticipating something specific coming soon that may do so?
Now, let’s say you were able to leave your current role today and walk into your dream job tomorrow—what would it be? Why that? Get out a sheet of paper or open a Word document and start writing out your vision for what this role would be like.
What features would it include?
Think about the work itself—why would it be meaningful?
What would the pay be like?
What about the schedule?
Where would the work take place, and who would it involve?
Does this role already exist, or would you be inventing it?
Now, the hard question: What’s preventing you from being in this dream job? What risks would it involve? After all, career transitions usually feel a little scary.
Are you qualified for this work?
Would it require additional education or certifications? If so, what would that cost?
What makes sense for you in your current stage of life?
Would it require a physical move or a large investment of time or money?
Is it simply the fear of change, failure, or the unknown holding you back?
How could you start answering these questions with facts to move from “dream job” to “my next role?” Start by identifying people who are actually doing what you think might be your dream job (or similar work) and reach out to them to learn how they landed that role. Send them a simple LinkedIn message or email asking for a quick phone call for advice. You might be surprised by how willing people are to talk about their journey and offer advice or support.
Ask them:
What do they love about their work, and what do they dread?
What do they find meaningful, and what do they find challenging?
Getting on their radar might even lead to an invitation to join their team one day. But learning about the realities of their work may make all the difference in whether, when, and how you pursue this dream career.
If you’re feeling stuck or debating your next career move, a conversation with a career coach might be helpful. Career coaches offer personalized guidance and support to help professionals identify their strengths, set clear career goals, develop necessary skills, improve job search strategies, and navigate career transitions with tailored advice and accountability.
Remember, if you’re feeling stuck in your current role, you’re not alone. Many professionals experience this, and it could provide just the motivation you need to take the first steps toward a more purposeful career. If you think you’d like to meet with a career coach, reach out to us at haloscounseling.com.